Hanover Town

On Broadway Incorporation Of The Town

In 1801 it was "Voted that Melzar Curtis be joined with the selectmen to remove Eunice Rogers from this town in the method they shall think best." In explanation of this vote we will say that it was not unusual in cases, where the question of a settlement was in doubt, to take unoffending families by force and carry them to such towns as the probabilities indicated as the ones of their settlement. In his youth, an elderly man told the writer that he was employed by the selectmen to remove a family from Hanover in this manner. He said he left Hanover after dark, travelled all night, camped the next day in the woods, at night resumed his journey and about midnight, reaching his destination, left the family in the street. Lucy Bailey (slightly demented), a daughter of Seth Bailey, went with her father's family to Maine (in her youth). She remained in that state until she was about thirty-five years old, when she was brought to Hanover and left one rainy night on "Nick Hill." She was found dazed and wandering the next morning, and passed the remainder of her hapless life in Hanover, dying at the Almshouse in November, 1859.

March 8, 1827, "Voted not to choose a tything man or tything men." Up to this date such officers had been elected annually. In the early history of the town the position was in its way an important one. :

Before closing this chapter it may not be amiss to give the names of a few of those persons who were in the town for the years immediately preceding the incorporation, and for a few years thereafter. Many of these held offices in the town. Possibly some of the names here given also appear in the genealogical part of this work; but the intention has been to simply give those families who receive little notice elsewhere.

Appendix "A" - The Act establishing Second Precinct of Pem.- broke was passed August 6, 1746, by the Legislature, and was made up of parts of the towns of Bridgewater - Halifax - Abington - Hanover and Pembroke.

Laws and Resolves, Volume XV., 1753-56, Appendix X., Chapter 20 - Order annexing Second Precinct of Pembroke made up out of several towns to the Town of Pembroke.

A petition of Elijah Cushing, Esq., agent for the Second Precinct in Pembroke, showing that the said Precinct is made up out of four several towns, besides Pembroke, which is a great inconvenience, and for as much as the inhabitants in general are more advantageously situated for an union with Pembroke than any other towns. Praying that the whole Precinct may be united to the town of Pembroke according.

Ordered that the prayer of the petition be granted, and that the petitioners with their estates comprehended within the bounds of said precinct, be to all intents and purposes annexed to and made part of the town of Pembroke, that to this time they pay their respective proportion to all taxes already made and granted, and that the several towns to which said petitioners belong to abate in the Province Tax in proportion to what the petition with their estates paid in the last Province Tax, and that the same be laid on the town of Pembroke. Passed, June 7, 1754.

Military History

"The new act of 1768, imposing a duty on tea, papers, painters' colors, and glass, caused, if possible, a ferment greater than that caused by the Stamp Act: and so thoroughly were the people aroused that it was finally resolved to call a Convention, to meet in Boston, September 21, "to consult upon measures for the safety of the Province." Delegates to this Convention were sent from a large ntmber of towns. Hanover deputed Joseph Cushing Hsq., to act as its Representative; a gentleman who had been long and favorably known to his townsmen, and who was distinguished for his unbending integrity and affable deportment ; - who afterwards held an honorable rank in the Conventions of the County and the Congresses of the Province; and who, at a still later period, when peace had been declared and order restored to our disturbed civil institutions, as a token of gratitude and esteem for his services, was elevated to the office of Judge of Probate for the County of Plymouth, and received a military commission, with the rank of Brigadier General."

"Monday, September 26, 1774, a meeting of delegates from every town in Plymouth County was held at Plympton, and, by adjournment, at the court house in Plymouth, on Tuesday the 27th; and Hanover sent, as its Representatives, Capt. Joseph Cushing, Joseph Ramsdell, Joshua Simmons, Capt. Robert L. Eells, md Dr. Lemuel Cushing; and the first-named gentleman was chosen one of the committee of nine, to prepare an address expressive of their feelings in view of the aggressions of the British Government."

"On the seventh day of October 1774, the First Provincial Congress was convened at Salem; on the 11th, at Concord; on the 17th, at Cambridge, and again at Cambridge, November 23rd, and dissolved December 10th. The Second Congress was convened at Cambridge, February 1, 1775; at Concord, March 22nd, and April 22nd, and at Watertown, April 22nd, and dissolved, May 29th. The Third Congress convened at Watertown, Wednesday, May 31st, 1775, and was dissolved, Wednesday, July 19th, 1775. To all of these, Col. Cushing, as he is called on the Journals, was sent as a delegate from Hanover, and, in all, he took an active and prominent part. We could enumerate many instances in which he was appointed on important committees; and that his

"June 30, 1776, at a meeting in Hanover "held to take into consideration a resolve of the Honorable House of Representatives" of the Massachusetts Bay, relative to advising the person or persons chosen to represent them in the General Court, whether, if the Honorable American Congress should, for the safety of the American Colonies, declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, they, the said inhabitants, will solemnly engage, with their lives and fortunes, to support them in the measure. Voted, to instruct their Representative, that, if said Congress should think it safest to declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, they, the inhabitants, will support them in the measure."

Probably no citizen of Hanover was more active or conspicious during the war than Joseph Cushing. He lived in a house which stood where now stands that of Horace S. Tower, and the latter uses the Cushing well for his water supply.

The records show that "Hon. Joseph Cushing, Judge of Probate, died December 16, 1791, aged 60 years, of a nervous disorder ending in delirium."

Committees Of Safety During The Revolution

The following glossary explains the meaning of the letters used in the table which follow it: Company on sea coast for defense, Dec. 17, 1775. To Roxbury, Feb. 12, 1776 (probably evacuation of Boston). Expedition to Cohasset, March, 1776. Service rendered, Aug. to Nov., 1776. 3 months service in 1776. Expedition to Ticonderoga, Oct. 1, 1776. Expedition to Rhode Island, 1776. Bristol Alarm, 1776. Second Expedition to Rhode Island, 1776. Expedition to Rhode Island, 1777.

Sept. to December, 1778, duty on Castle Island, Boston Harbor. Expedition to Rhode Island, 1778. Cambridge, February to April, 1778. Enrolled for 8 months, 1778.

Service in Gates' Regiment, 1778. Capt. Amos Turner's Company, 1781. Rhode Island Expedition, March, 1781. Raised by the town, April 12, 1778. Expedition to Manchester.

List of soldiers from Hanover who served in the Revolution. A few of these resided in other towns: Bailey, John} Col. " Luther, Major " Seth -CBaldwin, Samuel, Chaplain -I-UBarstow, James -Lfs Job -C-Qis Nathaniel -U - Samuel, Lieut.

Col. John Bailey

During the Revolutionary War, John Bailey and his son, Luther, attained the highest rank of any of the Hanover soldiers, Luther being a major in his father's regiment.

John Bailey was Lieutenant Colonel May 27, 1775, in Col. Thomas' regiment. Soon after this, he was commissioned as colonel. At West Point, about August 1, 1779, a board of army officers decided on the rank of the different officers, and Col. Bailey was the first, or ranking colonel, his commission being made to date from July 1, 1775; and he was called of the second regiment. This settlement of rank was soon after confirmed by Congress.

Washington, Colonel Bailey asks for his discharge "on account of the situation of his domestic affairs and ill health and having served in the army from the commencement of the War." He was continued in the service, however, until December 30, 1780, when he was retired on half-pay. Probably this half-pay was commuted and he took a lump sum. Previous to the war, he was a ship builder and one of the largest landowners in Hanover; but his long service proved disastrous to his financial interests and he died a poor man. Appleton's biography as well as Drake's gives him honorable mention, saying that "he earned distinction, especially in the campaign against Burgoyne."

He was second in command at Dorchester and in important positions around New York. In September, 1776, his regiment and two others, Glover's Brigade, were thanked by Washington for their gallant conduct and, when Washington resolved to make a sudden dash upon the Hessians at Trenton, among the trusty men he chose was Bailey's regiment. These troops were in two divisions, Bailey being in the first. They crossed the river in the .storm and amid the floating ice and won the fight, recrossed, and, the next morning Washington warmly thanked them for "their brave and steady conduct." Lossing says that, at Saratoga, Gates felt confident of victory, aided by such men as "Poor, Learned, Stark, and Bailey." After the war, Col. Bailey resided on Main street, where he kept a hotel, with slight patronage. He and his son Luther both died in this house.

The military history of the town from the close of the Revolution to 1800, is meagre. The military spirit which war always produces caused more or less interest in the soldiery and an effort, although a feeble one, was made to comply with the militia law.

The town records of this period are concerned principally with soldier's pay, although one item records the unfortunate and somewhat disconcerting fact that the town's supply of powder had been stolen. A committee was chosen to renew the supply and to prosecute the thief. No historic record or tradition tells that the thief was caught.

The Hanover artillery company was, during its existence, the "crack" military organization. It grew out of the second militia company, which was formed during John Adams' adminstration, Timothy Rose, captain.

over artillery company and was, of course, its first captain. The first lieutenant was Dr. Melzar Dwelley; the second Dr. Charles Turner of Pembroke. 'The uniform, which on being described appears ridiculous to us in these days of khaki, was regarded at the beginning of the last century as gorgeous and appropriate.

The coat was blue, with red facings and brass buttons and cord. The trousers and waistcoat were buff. 'The waist was clasped by a white leather belt, with a brass breast plate above it. The whole was surmounted by a fur cocked hat, called a chapeau de bras, bearing a black plume tipped with red.

The second armory stood at the Centre, "in the rear of the meeting house on one corner of the old burial ground" (Barry) which was first used in 1806, Albert Smith being captain. In 1819, while Elisha Barrel, Jr. was captain, the commonwealth erected the third and last armory near the Centre.

The Hanover artillery company's service was not all performed at home. From July 1 to Sept. 6, 1814, (68 days) under Lieut. Elisha Barrell, Jr., a detachment of it was on duty at Scituate Harbor and the whole company was for a month, September 19 to October 19, 1814. at Plymouth.

The Hanover Rifle Company was formed about 1816. It was comprised of men from Scituate, Marshfield, Pembroke, and Hanson as well as from this town. Its first captain was Elijah Hayward, followed by Hosea Whitman, William Josselyn, Nathan Dwelley, Samuel Bennett, and others. It was "removed to Hanson." It formed part of the Second regt., first Brig., 5th Division of the Massachusetts militia. The uniform of the company was unique; coat and trousers green, a felt cap with long green plume. The arms and equipment of each man were kept at his own home. The company never saw service, except on parade and at musters. It had a band of its own, consisting of two fifes, two tenor,. drums, one bass-drum, a clarionet. and bugle. Barry gives an interesting account of the presentation to the company by the ladies: of a beautiful standard with the speech, very stirring and patriotic,. made by Miss Eliza Stetson, when she presented the standard.

The war of 1812 gave rise to but little action in Hanover beyond that already related. There were various votes passed, relative to the pay of troops sent out, providing for powder, etc.

The town, in a set of resolutions, gave its views on the war to the public through "publication in the republican newspapers in Boston," the republican party of that day being the predecessor of the democratic party to-day.

Among the writer's papers is one headed thus: "Pay Roll of a Company of Infantry stationed at the Fortification Plymouth Harbour, commanded by Lieut. Eben Simmons of the Volunteers of the United States for the month of February." In the roll are:

Letters addressed to Lieut. Simmons at the Gurnet and dated as late as September 29, 1813, are also found, showing the term of his troops to expire October, 1813. The following letter dated August 26, 1813, is interesting. It is addressed, Capt. Simmons, Fort Gurnet, and reads:

"The collector of customs for the Port of Plymouth informs Capt. Simmons, Commandant of the Fort, that suspicious cireumstances this morning occur relative to boats without and near this harbour - the arrival of this ship that came in to-day makes the appearances more suspicious - I therefore suggest that you will be guarded and vigilant and, at any rate, if an attempt should be made to cut out this ship, you will prevent her being got out by all the means in your power."

A letter to Lieut. Simmons from "William Brown, Contractor's Agent," dated March 21, 1813, shows the sort of stores which were furnished the troops at that time. 212 lbs. fresh beef, 6 bbls. salt beef, 1 bbl. mess perk, 8 bbls. rye flour, 1 box soap, 1 box candles, 1 bbl. vinegar, 1 bbl. whiskey.

Hanover In The Civil War

In the year 1860, about 85 per cent. of the legal voters of Hanover cast their vote for the electors of Abraham Lincoln for President. During the succeeding conflict few towns filled their quotas as promptly. After it had provided for the last call made by the President, it had a surplus of about twenty-five men in the service.

At the outset, the available men in Hanover between the ages of eighteen and forty-five (the government limit), numbered not over two hundred and seventy-five. Of this number, one hundred and sixty-nine (61 4-10 per cent.) enlisted.

The first concerted action of the town was taken at a citizen's meeting held in April, 1861, when a committee was chosen to confer with citizens of other towns as to the proper course to he pursued in view of the hostilities which had then been begun.

Oren Josselyn, Jedediah Dwelley, and Robert H. Studley were selectmen. That year the town paid "drilling, $320, and for uniforms (14) for the Union guards, $250; for dependents of soldiers in the United States service from this town, $868; making a total military outlay for the year of $1440, of which $834 was due to be repaid by the state. This was on a total assessment of $777,332, and with a tax rate of $5.70 per thousand.

The first call for troops was made by the President in April, 1861. This was for three months' men. Six men in Hanover responded, viz: Frank Corbin, William B. Harlow, Hosea Dwelley, Patrick Hurley, George C. Dwelley, and William C. Bates, the first man to enlist from this town being Frank Corbin.

The following is a list of persons, not residents of Hanover, who enlisted for the quota of the town, December 12, 1862, assigned to the 1st Mass. regiment, and to serve for the term of three years.

Up to July, 1863, the quotas of Massachusetts under the several calls of the President, were readily filled by volunteers. At that time an imperative draft was ordered, with the understanding that no credits should be given for volunteers. The number drafted from Hanover was forty-four. Of these thirtyfour were exempted from various causes and ten were held to service, all of whom paid the commutation of three hundred dollars.

Feb. 1st, 1864, the President issued another call for 200,000 volunteers, and on March 14th, 1864, still another, for 200,000 more to serve for three years, and in the last of these calls, it was ordered that, if the number (700,000) were not furnished ou or before a given date, then a draft be enforced to supply the deficiency.

The quota of Hanover under these several calls was fifty-one. In filling this quota credits were given for those who were drafted in July and paid commutation; for all volunteers enlisted after July 1st, 1863; for re-enlisted men, and for substitutes furnished

Under the call of the President, dated July 18, 1864, Charles H. Damon enlisted for three years, twenty-seven citizens of the town enlisted for one year's service; and, in addition to these, the State furnished three from the States in rebellion, and eight were recruited in Boston and placed to the credit of this town. Following is a list of those who enlisted for one year, as above:

In addition to all these, the town was credited on the last two calls with seventeen men in the naval service of the United States. As but a portion of these were actual residents of Hanover, we give only the names of such residents, with the names of the vessels to which they were attached:

Early in May, 1861, a company of Hanover men was organized with headquarters at the Four Corners. These men formed a part of Co. G, of the 18th regiment. About the same time, a company was formed in Rockland, which was largely composed of men from this town. This company became Co. G, of the 12th regiment. Both companies during the entire war were with the army of the Potomac. Their losses were severe.

At the battle of Antietam, of the 325 men of the 12th regt. who went into the battle but 112 came out unscathed. At the second battle of Bull Run, the 18th regt. with the same number of men suffered nearly as much; and at Fredericksburg the 18th won the especial commendation of Adj. Gen. Schouler.

In July and August, 1862, the President called for 600,000 men. Hanover's proportion of this number was 46, which was one fourth of all its remaining able-bodied men. But one meeting was required to raise this number and, at that meeting, fiftytwo patriotic, determined men at once enlisted, thirty for nine months and twenty-two for three years. Then, as always when Hanover men understood the need, there was no hesitancy in answering it. 'The 9 months' men were mostly attached to the third and forty-third regiments, but the three years' men, to Company K, 38th regt. The latter company went to Louisiana where the climate proved more fatal than the fighting.

In 1863, twenty-eight citizens enlisted on the quota of the town for three years and twenty-seven for one year. The latter served principally at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor and the former joined old regiments in the field. Eleven recruits for three years were obtained elsewhere. This year the government performed an act of long-delayed justice and gave credit for men enlisted in the navy. Hanover was thus credited with 17 additional men, most of whom were its own citizens. Among them were men on the "Kearsarge," the "Cumberland" and the "Congress." The latter ship, in her last and most famous battle with the Merrimac in Hampton Roads, was commanded by Joseph Barker Smith, a son of Rear-Admiral Smith, who is mentioned elsewhere in this book.

Those who enlisted prior to August, 1862 did so without receiving bounty. After that a bounty was paid. During the war the town paid, in round numbers, a total for bounties of $25,000; and in aid of soldier's families, $12,860. The state refunded a greater part of the latter sum. The disposition of the national, state, and municipal governments toward the soldiers of the Rebellion has, up to the present date, some 40 years since the declaration of peace, been most generous and considerate. No nation in history has ever shown such consideration for its defenders. The United States has, in this instance at least, proven false the old adage that Republics are ungrateful.

Those Who Were Killed in Service. Levi C. Brooks, killed at the battle of Cane River. Benjamin Curtis, killed at the battle of Antietam. Marcus M. Leavitt, killed at Vicksburg. John W. Nelson, killed at the Wilderness. John B. Wilder, killed on picket duty. Joseph E. Wilder, killed at Sabine Cross Roads.

The war between the States, called sometimes "The Rebellion," and sometimes "The Civil War," was officially declared closed, August 30, 1865.

A desire among the soldiers of the Northern army to perpetuate the recollection of their sufferings, to aid each other in peace as they had co-operated in war, and to strengthen the feeling of loyalty and fealty to their reunited country, brought about a movement for association, which culminated in 1866, in the Grand Army of the Republic, coming into existence in Illinois. ;

This spirit of reunion and brotherhood reached Hanover in 1869, when Post No. 83 was organized and called the Joseph KE. Wilder Post. The ceremony of opening the organization took place at the Town hall, April 29, 1869, under the direction of Col. James L. Bates and Capt. Charles W. Hastings, both of Weymouth.

More than one-half of these are now (Feb. 3, 1906), living, and the war has been over for almost 41 years. During the existence of the Post, over eighty members have been upon its rolls. The present officers of the Post are: Horace S. Tower, commander. Samuel A. Henderson, senior vice commander. Lyman Russell, junior vice commander. Morton V. Bonney, adjutant. Rodolphus C. Waterman, quartermaster. Samuel F. Buffum, chaplain. Rufus M. Sturtevant, surgeon. Lewis Josselyn, officer of the day. Joseph F. Stetson, officer of the guard. Frank Corbin, quartermaster's sergeant. Peleg 8. Sturtevant, color bearer. Henry A. Farrar, bugler. Oren T. Whiting, delegate. The other members of the Post (1906) are:

Each year the Post decorates with flowers the graves of about 125 soldiers, 100 at the cemetery at the Center, and 25 at Union cemetery, Assinippi. They are assisted by the Woman's Relief Corps, and the Sons of Veterans.

The post bears the name of Joseph E. Wilder. He was the son of Isaac M. Wilder, and was born at Hanover Four Corners, April 24, 1839. He was the second of three children. His mother was Lucinda, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Bass) Eels of Hanover, who married Isaac M. Wilder, Februray 5, 1834.

Joseph E. Wilder was a student at Amherst college in the class of 1863, at the breaking out of the Rebellion. He enlisted, November 20th, 1861, i Company D, 31st Regiment, Massachusetts Vol. Infantry. He served three years, and again enlisted as Quartermaster Sergeant, February 11, 1864. He was killed, while in charge of a wagon train on the Red River expedition under Gen. Banks, at Sabine Cross roads, Louisiana, April 8, 1864.

Since its organization, the Post has distributed several thousand dollars in charitable offerings to soldiers and their families. This is symbolized by a part of the motto of the Grand Army of the Republic, which sets forth its characteristics: "Fraternity, Charity, Loyalty."

The Post has had many milestones in its pathway down the years and left its mark, not only upon the material side of the town's history, but upon its sentimental side as well.

As evidence of the last, may we be permitted to mention the real spirit of brotherly love it has always shown, its loving-kindness in all charitable ways, without bickering and without jealousy, the true loyal, manly type of its membership, the faithfulness its members have always shown to all its duties and to all public trusts? Hanover is justly proud of its veterans of the G. A. R.

The more material marks of its existence, beside the annual dec-: oration of its comrades' graves are the Soldiers' monument and its decorations, and the headquarters the Town has set aside for it in the 'own hall. No public occasion when Hanover displays those things of which she is proud ever occurs without the presence and aid of Joseph E. Wilder Post, No. 83, of the Grand Army of the Republic.

The Post has twice been the recipient of colors. First, in May 30th, 1870, when the ladies of the town presented the Post a beautiful silk flag costing $65.00. The presentation was made by Miss Lucey W. Stockbridge, and Commander George B. Oldham accepted it for the Post.

Sixteen years later, May 31, 1886, the "Little Workers" of South Hanover, on the lawn just east of the Centre Church, presented another silk flag to the Post. The presentation was made by Miss Laura E. Oldham, a daughter of Captain (and late commander)

In 1894, the Town hall was enlarged. A "Memorial hall" was set apart and finished as a home for the Joseph H. Wilder Post 83, Grand Army of the Republic. 'ithere the Post hold its meetings. The room is decorated with pictures of scenes in the Civil War, portraits of Generals and others connected with that stormy time. <A platform, with the chairs for the officers and the colors, stands at the east side of the room.

Nelson Lowell, who died in 1905, was a stable-sergeant in the Ninth Massachusetts Battery of Artillery. At the battle of Gettysburg, that battery was sacrificed to give other artillery time to get into action. The Ninth checked the rebel advance long enough to serve the purpose, but at terrible loss.

His captain, John Bigelow, in a letter dated July 14, 1896, writes, " * * * at Gettysburg, the faithful stable-sergeant, learning that his battery was suffering heavy losses in battle, came to me from his position of safety, where he had been detailed, and begged to be allowed to take part with his comrades * * * I placed him in charge of adetachment * * * and, when all his own men and horses had been shot, seemingly bearing a charmed life, he served as cannoneer with other detachments, while any were left; then, amid a shower of bullets, he helped "right'" one of Lieut. Milton's overturned pieces and finally was held by his wounded horse among the enemy, until our lines advanced."

Joseph F. Stetson went through the entire war in the army of the Potomac, from May 7, 1861 to June 27, 1865. At Gravelly Run, while marching to Appomattox, ten days before Lee's surrender, he was shot through the body. Word went home that "Joe Frank"

Richard Winslow, the only colored man in the Post, was, during his entire term of membership in the Post, its color-bearer. He was at Fort Wagner, in Col. Robert Gould Shaw's fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment of Colored men, and, by especial invitation, took part in the dedication of the monument to Col. Shaw in Boston.

No history of this town should fail to contain some account of the life of Rear Admiral Joseph Smith, the most distinguished man in the naval annals of the town. Born March 2, 1790, the second son of Capt. Albert and Anne L. (Eells) Smith, he married, March 1, 1818, at Nobleborough, Maine, Harriet Bryant, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Wall) Bryant, of Newcastle.

His father was a North river ship builder, and the boy was thus made acquainted with all the details of ship building. With a nature which called him toward the sea, he enlisted in the Navy. A midshipman, January 16, 1809, lieutenant, July 24, 1813, commander, March 3, 1827, captain, February 9, 1887, commander of the Mediterranean squadron in 1845, chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks in 1847, rear admiral, July 16, 1862. He died, January 17, 1877, aged eighty-six years and nine months.

He was with Commodore Perry in the battle of Lake Erie, in the war of 1812, fighting in command of a ship built by himself and manned by a crew taken from the army insubordinates who were under arrest. When, in the hottest of the fight, one side of his ship was nearly blown away by the enemy, he swung his ship broadside to the foe, first port and then starboard; while the unharmed side loaded, the wounded side was turned to the enemy. Thus he fought out the fight with pluck, undaunted courage, and with resource ever fresh for the emergency.

At the battle of Lake Champlain, he was wounded; and his gallant conduct in the capture of the Algerine cruisers, in 1815, gained him honorable mention.

When the Civil War broke out, Admiral Smith was past seventy. He was still chief of Yards and Docks, and upon him fell to a very great extent the task of building up our Navy. His days were days of long toil, but no clerk in his department could keep up the pace set by its chief. But for his urgency, the Monitor would not have received the trial in Hampton Roads which demonstrated the value of armored ships and saved the Navy of the United States. President Lincoln is said to have called him the "Wheel-horse of the Navy."

The Admiral's trial of the Monitor saved the Navy, but it was too late to save his son Joseph Barber Smith, who commanded the Congress, when she was attacked by the Merrimac. His reply to Secretary Welles, when the latter called him from church to tell him of the battle and the surrender of the Congress, "Then Joe is dead," is classic. It illustrates the Spartan character of the old hero when it is added that after this laconic judgment of his boy's courage, he walked back into the church and finished the service.

A word as to the Mimic war in Plymouth County in 1909. "Never in the history of New England, if in this country, have military manceuvres been held of the magnitude of those which took place, from August 14th to 21st, 1909, in Southern Massachusetts."

"The manoeuvres were considered of sufficient importance for foreign nations to send military attaches, and the interest the entire country manifested was shown by the fact that over 250 newspaper representatives accompanied the troops, the majority, coming from states other than Massachusetts."

The final battle was fought at and near Hanover Four Corners, lasting for about three hours. His Excellency, Eben S. Draper, Governor of Massachusetts, was in the thick of the fray.

Richard Harding Davis, a veteran correspondent of several wars, said to a friend, regarding the Hanover battle as he sat watching the same. "It may surprise you if I say that this mimic fight is one of the most spectacular I have ever seen in my life. All it lacks is the carnage. The picturesqueness of New England topography, the stone walls, rolling hills, clumps of bushes, ete., all defined by the incessant firing, certainly is thrilling."

The last of the mimic battles was fought, and the warring troops to the number of ten or twelve thousand, now peaceful and friendly, pitched their tents on Hanover soil, where they all remained for one night, many of them for two nights or more.

Hundreds of people, both from Hanover and the surrounding towns, visited the encampments, which extended along Washington street for about two miles, on Broadway for a mile, and for short distances on Myrtle, Hanover and King streets, - one encampment being on New State street in Hanson near the residence of Charles E. Thayer. The sight witnessed was such as few will ever see again in our vicinity. The troops were orderly and intelligent, and left our town with the best wishes of her citizens.

The 10th U. 8. Cavalry (colored) remained in town until Sunday morning, encamping, the last night, in the field in the rear of the residence of R. M. Sturtevant, on Pleasant street. This Cavalry served with distinction at San Juan with Col. Roosevelt, and also in the Philippines. It was a beautiful morning when they left and, as they rode from the field in perfect order, the sight was one long to be remembered.